7 October 2004 Edition

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Adams to attend European Social Forum in London

The third European Social Forum will meet in London on 14-17 October under the banner Another World is Possible and Another Europe in Another World. There will be a welcome rally on the evening of Thursday 14 October and the Forum will end with a solidarity demonstration in Central London on the afternoon of Sunday 17 October.

A number of leading Sinn Féin representatives and many others will be participating in the event.

The ESF is an international gathering of progressive social movements, trade unions, campaigning organisations, NGOs and many others. This year it takes place at Alexandra Palace and Bloomsbury, with hundreds of Plenaries, Workshops and Seminars, plus cultural events, including exhibitions, film showings, music, theatre and dance. Topics include anti-war, anti-racism, social and democratic rights, the environment and world justice and solidarity.

Tens of thousands are expected to attend from across Europe and internationally.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams will be among those addressing the welcome event hosted by London Mayor Ken Livingstone in central London. Other international speakers include Aleida Guevara, daughter of Che from Cuba, Algerian independence leader Ahmed Ben Bella, leading anti-debt writer Susan George, plus many, many others.

Ireland at the ESF

On the issue of Ireland, a number of key events are planned. As well as the opening rally, Gerry Adams will speak and take part in a question and answer session at a Friday afternoon seminar, `Lessons of Ireland' at Alexandra Palace. He will discuss how the strategy for peace and Irish unity has developed in detail and the next steps.

The development of the peace process and issues for the future will also be addressed in a round table seminar on Saturday afternoon, with Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald, anti-poverty campaigner and NI Unison representative Inez McCormac and Michael Finucane, son of the murdered solicitor Pat Finucane.

The issues of collusion, truth and justice will be discussed on Friday evening, where speakers include Paul O'Connor from the Pat Finucane Centre and representatives of campaigns including An Fírinne (Truth) and Justice for the Forgotten. Michael Finucane will also speak about his father's case and the issues around the inquiry.

Sectarian attacks and the rise of racist attacks will be discussed at a workshop on Saturday morning, where speakers include Short Strand residents' representative and Belfast Deputy Mayor Joe O'Donnell and Jamal Iweida, the president of Belfast Islamic Centre.

The issue of civil liberties and anti-terror measures will be discussed at a seminar on Friday morning, where speakers include human rights lawyer Gareth Peirce and others.

Other issues and speakers during the ESF include Green Party representative Patricia McKenna, those involved in the anti-war and anti-globalisation movement in Ireland, discussions on Irish immigration policy and many other issues.

Films on aspects of the struggle for justice and equality in Ireland will also feature, and on Saturday night there will be an Irish Solidarity Night at Tommy Flynn's, 203 Holloway Road, N19, from 9pm-2am, with a reduced admission of £2, including food, for ESF delegates.

The ESF promises to be a fantastic opportunity to get involved in debates on a number of issues - but those wanting to attend need to register by logging on to www.fse-esf.org.uk. It's £30 waged/£20 unwaged for the whole event - including a free three-day travel card (worth £20).


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